The face behind Shirt by Hand Singapore- Sharon Jacotine!

What’s your story?

I’m a mum to two girls, 17 and 13. I have just embarked on a venture here in Singapore selling tailor-made men’s business shirts. It’s a Singapore franchise called Shirt by Hand with the parent company in the Netherlands. I do the measuring and orders are placed through the website.

I love keeping busy and have had a few part-time roles in Singapore from baking to selling furniture. I deviated quite a bit from my career in IT many moons ago and have really enjoyed being able to focus on other areas of interest.

The opportunity to establish the Singapore entity of Shirt by Hand came through a friend and I was ready to take on the challenge with me being my own boss.

 

How & Why did you start your company/passion work? 

I had just finished a job and a friend asked if I would like to manage a business in Singapore. I felt that I was ready for the challenge! I guess you always have doubts but never know until you try it!

 

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business?

Give it a go, you always find the strength in you once you start. Nothing is impossible and you deal with each hurdle as it comes.

 

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ?

Challenging, fun, empowering.

 

 

Find & Know More about Sharon and her brand! She is a member of the The Mother/Founder Movement & Community

Connect with her. 

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• Website: www.shirtbyhand.sg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirtbyHandSG
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirtbyhand_singapore
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

 

 

Seema Chand from Rigouts?

 

What’s your story Seema?

As a single mother and founder of Rigouts, my story is one of resilience and empowerment. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has been challenging, but I’m driven by my passion for sustainable fashion. Rigouts is my way of making a positive impact, inspiring others to embrace conscious choices and redefine traditional fashion.

How & Why did you start your company/passion work? Did you have a crossroad moment?

Starting Rigouts was a natural extension of my values and aspirations. I experienced the challenge of finding reliable sources for high-quality sustainable and handcrafted goods. This realization, combined with my background in HR/Marketing and my love for fashion, led me to create Rigouts. It was a crossroad moment where I decided to channel my passion into a purposeful venture that promotes conscious choices and celebrates cultural heritage.

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business?

To fellow mothers and aspiring women entrepreneurs, I encourage you to believe in yourself and your abilities. Embrace your strengths, pursue your passions, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Remember, you have the power to create your own path and make a meaningful impact in the world of business.

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER: FOUNDER: SELF?

Finding balance between being a mother, founder, and taking care of myself is an ongoing process. I prioritize by setting clear boundaries, delegating tasks, and practicing self-care. It’s important to be present in each role, giving my undivided attention where needed. Flexibility is key, allowing me to adapt and adjust as circumstances arise. Seeking support and surrounding myself with a strong network also contributes to maintaining a sense of balance and fulfillment in my journey.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ?

Empowering, challenging, and fulfilling.

 

Find & Know More about Seema and her brand!

Connect with her. Seema is a Member of the  The Mother/Founder Movement & Community

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• Website: https://rigouts.sg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rigouts.sg
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rigouts.sg?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-chand-8b08ba13b

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Sapana Shakya from SANI?

As sapana says:

I created SANI with a mission to support marginalized women who are the weavers and breadwinners of their families. This venture allows me to stay connected to my roots and contribute to the society I grew up in. My vision is to support the local pashmina weavers by creating meaningful opportunities that contribute towards the weaver’s financial freedom, their children’s education, and their health.

Our weavers masterfully create Pashmina scarves, blankets, and throws using skills that have been passed on from generations – hence keeping the age-old traditions alive. SANI’s focus is to avoid machines and automation that could replace human labor. This ensures the sustainability of the livelihoods of the weavers who make our products. With no compromise in quality, our process delivers beautifully handwoven scarves directly from the artisans in Nepal to our end customers.

Find & Know More about sapana and her brand

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• Website:n/a
• Facebook: Https://facebook.com/wearsani
• Instagram: Https://instagram.com/wearsani
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Karla Prompers from RougeMex852 & Mika Rouge?

As Karla says:

I’m Karla Prompers, Founder of @Rougemex_ & @mikarouge852 Since I was a little girl I dreamt to have my own business and that dream came along with my triplets girls in 2016 when I founded and created my multifunctional leather bag business Mika rouge Ltd.

In 2019 I officially launched my second brand RougeMex852 in honour of my beloved country Mexico. My aim is to preserve my cultural heritage and traditions of our Mexican artisans and to transmit this love for Mexico to the World!

Find & Know More about Karla and her brand

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• Website: n/a
• Facebook: n/a
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rougemex852/
• Linkedin: https://hk.linkedin.com/in/karla-m-prompers-b67aa534

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Emma Wallace?

As Emma says:

British born designer Emma Wallace has firmly established herself as a hot commodity within the Asian market. Having fallen in love with Asia during years of travelling, the Berkshire native settled in Hong Kong where she has become the ‘go to’ for innovative, modern, yet exceedingly elegant ready-to-wear pieces.

An independent designer with a boutique store in Sheung Wan and now a new mummy to her beautiful 4 month old daughter Aila, Emma is learning to juggle running her own brand and being a full time Mum.

Find & Know More about Emma and her brand

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• Website: http://www.emma-wallace.com
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/emmawallacedesigner
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/emmawallacedesigner
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emma-wallace

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Andrea Discepola from the Vin Min?

As Andrea Discepola says:

vin + min is a Singapore-based resort and beachwear label that was started in 2017 in Hong Kong by besties Vinima (aka Vin) & Andrea (aka Min). Vinima, mom of 2 boys, and Andrea, mom of 2 girls, met at their condo play gym one afternoon and the rest is history – the fact was, where there was Vin, there was Min!

As the duration of life in Hong Kong was indefinite at the time, and given all the time the ladies spent together, they often expressed the desire to start a business together. Business ideas were thrown back and forth for months and months! Finally, the beach kaftan concept arose from the duo’s love for glamour & fashion, and can you get any more glamorous than a kaftan? Within 2 months of coming up with their brand name, vin + min literally got down to business and released their Launch Collection in Hong Kong in November 2017, and another month later, they were available online! Sadly, in June 2018, Vinima moved back to the US where she currently works in e-Commerce for a multinational corporation, and Andrea relocated back to her native land, Singapore, where she continues to run the brand.

As a mom, vin + min has allowed Andrea to demonstrate to her girls that we make the most of our situations, look for positivity and joy in all circumstances, and keep an open mind so that we may be able to find our purpose where we didn’t imagine we ever would. A lawyer by training, Andrea has been unable to practice law in Hong Kong or Singapore as she is not locally qualified in either jurisdiction, a requirement for those in family law practice, which still remains a passion of hers. Her journey of becoming qualified as a lawyer has been quite the roller coaster in fact, due to the births of her two daughters in 2012 and 2016 and multiple moves in between, from Australia to Canada to Singapore to Hong Kong and back to Singapore! Feeling quite frustrated at times at the circumstances and always questioning “why did I go through all of that to now be doing nothing [related to the law]”, Andrea is grateful that although life has taken her on a convoluted route, she feels that being a fashion entrepreneur has in turn has given her work-life balance, and most importantly, the ability to put her family first. vin + min has also allowed Andrea to teach her girls about working before playing hard, even on vacations to Bali, where vin + min’s designs are manufactured and most of the photoshoots are done (including putting the girls to work as models for her kids kaftans). vin + min has also provided an avenue for giving back to the community.

In 2020, vin + min transitioned into a not-for-profit brand and all profits from all sales currently go to providing bi-weekly food bags, called “Sembako”, to 30 families in Bali, a true testament of where passion meets purpose. This is only the first step in vin + min’s vision of giving back and making a difference. vin + min endeavours to become a full fledged social enterprise in Bali when travel becomes possible once again.

Find & Know More about Anita and her brand

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• Website: https://www.vinandmin.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinandminco
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinandmin/
• Linkedin: n/a

If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community, fill out this Interest Form and we will reach out to you.

 

Who is Saruchi Chauhan?

Hi I am Saruchi – A Singapore based jewellery designer and mom to my beautiful daughter “LIZU”. I was already running an artisan jewelry business when motherhood happened to me and my already busy days got even busier but definitely more rewarding. It wasn’t easy in the beginning but I had to take care of both my creations – my almost 4 yrs. old daughter and my 8 yrs. old jewelry line. So I continued the hard work and here I am today juggling both successfully and I could not be happier in life.

From a young age, I had been intrigued and inspired by the glittering world of jewellery and the highly skilled art of jewellery making. Over the years this inspiration turned into my passion, and the creative journey of “Saruchi R Jewellery” (SRJ) started in 2014. At SRJ, I believe in “expression of an individual’s uniqueness” which forms a quintessential part of my creative designs. Inspired by people and their modern work lives, my designs are elegant and perfect for all occasions as these reflect genuine authenticity, individual appeal and custom finish which mass-produced items simply don’t have. I love working with precious metals and natural gemstones which are all sourced from our select base of globally reputed suppliers. These are then handcrafted with great precision to create an elegant and chic collection. Being a very hands-on person, I am involved in all aspects of the jewellery making process at SRJ from creative concepts to crafting, finishing and even marketing. I wish that people wearing my creations feel the same joy as I feel while crafting it.

1st Jan 2018 marked the arrival of my super naughty daughter who every now and then wants a piece of my jewelry for herself. She is learning a little something about this trade from me with every passing day. I would love to see her work with me in future, if possible.
I wish rest of my life stays filled with creativity and spark which my daughter brings in to it.

Find & Know More about Saruchi and her brand

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• Website: www.saruchirjewellery.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saruchirjewellery
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saruchi.r.jewellery/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saruchi-chauhan-946067199/

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

 

Who is Rebecca Metcalfe and her story of SHE CREATES STORIES?

*How did you start your company/passion work?

She Creates Stories was born from the necessity for a middle-priced fashion marketplace for Women in Asia. Stocking a range of styles and fits from plus sized to bump friendly and everything in-between and cut in breathable fabrics. We focus on dresses, linen, separates, and swimwear. I launched it in Hong Kong in 2021 during covid when I was pregnant as I couldn’t foresee going back to work in the corporate world and I was ready to work for myself – a goal I had for turning 40!

* What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a mother/Founder?

Fulfilling, challenging, a juggling act.

* What’s your story?

I’m Bex and I’m the Founder of She Creates Stories, a Womens Fashion Marketplace based here in Asia, selling Australian brands inspired by a coastal lifestyle. I worked as a Buying Director previously and have been in Womenswear Buying since 2004! I’m originally from the UK but spent 10 years in Australia so have both passports.

Find & Know More about Rebecca and her brand

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• Website: https://www.shecreatesstories.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shecreatesstories/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she_creates_stories/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-metcalfe-375b9928/

Rebecca is joining us as a Vendor at the Mother/Founder Conference in Singapore May 2023! and shall have some special offers to annoucne for the day! Join us on May 25th 2023. 
Tickets Available: Click Here

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.